Municipal News & Jobs

Cherokee County, with a population of about 19,000 people, faces a significant challenge known as a “food desert.” This term refers to areas where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited. In Cherokee County, residents can only find two grocery stores: a Harps in Baxter Springs and an Apple Market in Columbus. According to Hunger Free Kansas, 15.7 percent of the county’s population experience food insecurity, highlighting the severity of the issue. The limited number of grocery stores poses a particular problem for people who rely on WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

The future of a western Kansas school district is up in the air after years of funding cuts. Mathew Hendricks, superintendent of Dighton Public Schools, said the district has lost about 10% of its budget over the past two years due to declining valuations and enrollment. On top of that, the HVAC system isn’t working properly. While the district continues to make repairs, Hendricks said it would take a bond to fully fix the problem. The district will hold a community forum at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Dighton High School auditorium to discuss its financial future.
Read more: KSN-TV

In Ottawa County, residents will soon decide whether to ban certain types of swine facilities. Voters will be asked if corporations, companies, trusts, or partnerships should be allowed to own or lease agricultural land—directly or indirectly—to operate a “swine production facility.” The question stems from a proposed farm about 30 miles north of Salina that would house roughly 45,000 pigs.
Read more: KSN-TV

Topeka city leaders are scheduled to discuss a change to the controversial “readiness to serve” utility charge at an upcoming meeting. The Topeka City Council is set to meet on Nov. 12 and take action on a proposed ordinance regarding the city’s utility rates. Approval of this new ordinance would amend sections of the Topeka Municipal Code, 13.05.020 and 13.05.050, regarding the city’s water and wastewater rate structure, including the readiness to serve charge. Topeka’s readiness to serve charge is a monthly fee for people on all water meters, regardless of whether they are used or not. City councilmembers discussed the charge earlier this year in June with some calling it out for causing mass confusion among local residents.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

The city of Lawrence has confirmed that Costco is planning to open a new store in the area. “We can confirm a site plan has been submitted and is currently in review,” a spokesperson for the city told FOX4 Monday in an email. The company submitted its site plan on Oct. 24; the plan number is SP-25-0038. According to the online portal, the plan is 33% completed.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

The University of Kansas Health System’s Care Collaborative and Medical Center announced new initiatives to create specialty care delivery networks to increase access in rural communities across the state. The project is supported in part by a $12.1 million grant from The Patterson Family Foundation. This initiative will include: Researchers from the University of Kansas Medical Center will conduct a statewide assessment of specialty and sub-specialty care, as well as therapies and testing needed to support this care.  
Read more: KSNT 27 News

After more than 25 years as the head of the cemetery ministry at Colwich’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church, John Weber is stepping down, but not before leaving a couple of markers to assist people in the search for the final resting place of their loved ones.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The city of Wichita is proposing a license for hotel operators to help regulate properties with health and safety complaints. The Wichita City Council will vote at its Thursday meeting whether to establish the license for lodging establishments that would cost a fee of $200, a city staff report said. The license would set new standards for local hotels and make it unlawful to offer hourly rates or fail to provide clean linens, remove trash or provide adequate pest control.
Read more: Wichita Business Journal

Arkansas City’s growing diversity has led city officials to request hiring an in-person interpreter for residents who speak Chuukese. During a work session Friday, City Manager Randy Frazer told commissioners that Municipal Court needs someone fluent in Chuukese, a language spoken primarily in the Chuuk State of Micronesia and by communities in Pohnpei and Guam. He said Tisaleen Uremoch is a local individual who can provide that service.Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com

After years of wanting and asking, Wichita looks to be getting its long-awaited Cheesecake Factory. A building permit application was filed with the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department for a Cheesecake Factory restaurant at 2020 N. Rock Road at Bradley Fair. The address most recently housed Outback Steakhouse, which closed in April 2022 and has since been demolished.
Read more: Wichita Business Journal

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday approved its second straight interest rate cut, a widely expected move that came despite little recent visibility on the economy due to the government shutdown. The post-meeting statement did not provide any direction on what the committee’s plans are for December. At the September meeting, officials indicated the likelihood of three total cuts this year. The Fed meets once more in December.
Read more: CNBC

Recently, the city put up the first of five billboards welcoming people to the first cow town in Kansas. The project was spearheaded by Mayor, Kelly Abbott and is meant to spur local tourism. “We’ve got a little logo saying and that’s, ‘all roads lead to Baxter.’ Kelly has been very involved in that tourism committee, making sure that the city is involved as the local citizens are in creating more tourism for the community,” said Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum Director, Mary Billington.
Read more: KSNF/KODE

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Pottawatomie County Emergency Medical Services was awarded the largest grant in its history — $134,729 from the Patterson Family Foundation. The grant will be used to purchase five new Stryker Power Pro 2 power-assisted ambulance cots. EMS Director Andrew Couchman spoke to the Pottawatomie County Commissioners on Monday saying, “This is an item that gets used every day by every crew. If we have a failure on that cot, we have a significant chance of injury to the crew or patient. Short of the truck that we use every day it is the next piece of equipment.”
Read more: News Radio KMAN

A new era of hospitality begins today in Hutchinson as the Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center officially opens its doors, bringing elevated comfort, convenience, and community-focused amenities to the region. Located at 1715 N. Waldron Street, the newly constructed hotel is a beacon of modern design and warm hospitality, offering 112 beautifully appointed guest rooms and meeting rooms. At the heart of the property is its expansive 14,500 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom and five breakout rooms, designed to host everything from corporate conferences to weddings and community celebrations.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

A cash incentive program for homeowners relocating to McPherson was approved by City Commissioners Tuesday. The program provides a cash incentive payment of $5,000 payable to the closing agent on behalf of the successful applicant provided the home and buyers are eligible. Applicants cannot have owned a home in the city limits for at least 36 months prior to application, and be purchasing a single-family owner-occupied home, which can be a stand-alone or part of a condominium as long as an appropriate fee title to the residence is acquired.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

McPherson County Commissioners Monday adopted a moratorium on development of nuclear power projects in unincorporated areas of the county. Over the past couple of weeks there has been discussion about possible nuclear projects, one of which would be in Reno County where local officials are pursuing it. Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Kinsey said the purpose of the moratorium is to allow study of local issues and development of regulations for it. The moratorium will run through Jan. 1, 2028, but could be shortened or extended as needed.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source